What is the Greek meaning of the species epithet *proneneukos*?
Answer
Forward sloping
The species name, *proneneukos*, is derived from Greek and carries the specific meaning of 'forward sloping.' This terminology directly references a key morphological feature observed on the unique dorsal vertebra—the distinct tilt of the preserved neural arch, which angles forward relative to the vertical axis of the centrum. This characteristic anatomical deviation was fundamental in distinguishing the specimen and justifying the erection of the *Xenoposeidon* genus, as the tilt was not observed in this manner in other sauropod material.
Related Questions
What is the meaning of the genus name *Xenoposeidon*?What catalog number identifies the partial dorsal vertebra of *Xenoposeidon*?Which paleontologists formally named *Xenoposeidon proneneukos* in 2007?At what approximate angle does the neural arch of the *Xenoposeidon* vertebra lean relative to the centrum's vertical axis?If *Xenoposeidon* was built heavily like *Brachiosaurus*, what was the corresponding estimated weight?What did Richard Lydekker initially suggest the bone specimen belonged to in 1893?The dorsal vertebra of *Xenoposeidon* was unearthed near Hastings in rocks belonging to which geological formation?What family did the 2018 analysis by Taylor suggest *Xenoposeidon proneneukos* is a basal member of?Which famous contemporary dinosaur, a large ornithopod, shared the Early Cretaceous environment of *Xenoposeidon*?What is the Greek meaning of the species epithet *proneneukos*?